AIMS will automate and simplify manifest information sharing with Border Force and other parties including HMRC, resulting in less disruption and more consistent collection times for customers.
Matthew Ware, CEO of CFL, the only on-site express courier handler at Heathrow Airport, said: “AIMS is effectively an anti-smuggling net, which helps stop suspect packages at the border. It will work alongside our existing systems and processes to create an even more safe and secure environment for incoming courier product.”
Community Network Services (CNS), who developed the risk technology behind AIMS, enables information sharing between Border Force, HMRC, airlines, couriers and other airport-based bodies.
Matthew Bradley, Managing Director of CNS, said: “The AIMS technology is based on our CARGOES Customs product, which helps customs authorities and other stakeholders, including CFL, improve efficiency and security by automating clearance processes, reducing manual intervention, and enabling data-driven decision-making.”
The Customs Declaration Service (CDS) is the UK government's digital platform for managing import and export customs declarations.
It makes the customs clearance process more efficient and transparent including compliance with customs declaration and calculation and collection of duties and taxes.
Border Inspection Revenue and Digital Services (BIRDS) manages and supports customs processes and procedures such as Low Value Bulk Clearance (LVBC), which streamlines imports for low value goods.
AIMS uses manifest information provided by importers and shared with Border Force and CFL to assess the risk factor for all individual packages in incoming shipments so it only assesses suspicious packages.
Ware says feedback from trials has been good and CFL aims to have 80% of volume under its control by the end of the first quarter next year.
